Rituximab in AChR subtype of myasthenia gravis: systematic review.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
; 91(4): 392-395, 2020 04.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32098874
ABSTRACT
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction characterised by an autoantibody against acetylcholine receptor (AChR-Ab), autoantibody against muscle-specific kinase (MuSK-Ab), lipoprotein-related protein 4 or agrin in the postsynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. Many patients are resistant to conventional treatment and effective therapies are needed. Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 antigen on B cells which has been successfully employed in anti-MuSK-Ab+MG, but the efficacy in anti-AChR-Ab+MG is still debated. The purpose of this systematic review was to describe the best evidence for RTX in the acetylcholine receptor subtype. The authors undertook a literature search during the period of 1999-2019 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analys methodology, employing (myasthenia)+(gravis)+(RTX) as search terms. The analysis was confined to studies that include at least five patients with confirmed anti-AChR-Ab+MG. Thirteen studies have been selected, showing a good safety. The data obtained were heterogeneous in terms of posology, administration scheme and patients' evaluation, ranging from a minimum of two to a maximum of three cycles. RTX led to a sustained clinical improvement with prolonged time to relapse, in parallel to a reduction or discontinuation of other immunosuppressive therapies. Treatment with RTX appears to work in some but not all patients with anti-AChR-Ab+MG, but randomised controlled trials are needed. Future studies should take into account the subtype of MG and employ reliable measures of outcome and severity focusing on how to identify patients who may benefit from the treatment. Trial registration number NCT02110706.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Rituximab
/
Immunologic Factors
/
Myasthenia Gravis
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
Year:
2020
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy